Amelia Kyambadde

Opinion: Kyambadde don’t want to be in the wind…

The likes of Amalie Kyambadde are used to be close and have vast influence in her office. That’s why being a Senior Presidential Advisor on Industry since the 2021 is daft to her. However, she chose this path and lost her elected role after 10 years in Parliament.

When you play the game, you either win or lose. That’s how it goes, and MPs are automatically elected or selected, unless they are the sole-candidate, and no other party is fielding in the same constituency. Therefore, Kyambadde was humbled after being in Cabinet and in Parliament for a decade.

She should have followed the advice of her master. The one that she served and kept secrets for. Kyambadde been the Personal or Private Secretary to the President since 1986 and worked close with him since 1997. So, when she decided to go out galivanting into an elective role. She should have known that it could cost, and the constituents could send you packing, which they did…

We know that she had massive influence and could keep the President distant from people in the years as his secretary. She must surely feel totally out of the loop. Now that she only has a marginal role and salary. Kyambadde is just one of a “100” Presidential Advisors, and they tend to only meet to be enlighten by His Excellency every blue moon. So, she isn’t as relevant or within the realm of power as she used too.

It wasn’t surprising to read or hear that she was dismissing the person who won over her in 2021. That was to be expected and that she would retaliate with harsh words. She got too and say something to sound like a viable candidate. However, will the constituents by into it?

Because she was in Parliament for 10 years and did, she do so much for them? Well, I don’t have the answer, but certainly that is questionable. Alas, she can only sway as much her swing as she wants too.

While it is a hard bargain to try to return now. The only thing she can hope for is help from the “high above” and settle the scores locally. There was a reason why she didn’t get a third time in Parliament. The people hadn’t seen or heard much from her. It is arrogant to think you are duty bound to be there. However, knowing that she was a staple in the State House.

She surely must feel entitled and that’s what she does. Kyambadde is victim of her own whim and arrogance. This is a mere reflection of her character. The reason why she is a Presidential Advisor and still at-large. Is because of her connection not only through the family of Kuteesa, but also her longevity in the State House. That’s the reason why she still matters and the secrets she knows.

The President has confided and trusted her in the past. Certainly, Kyambadde knows more than most. If someone knows the inner-works and the inner-circle it’s her. She has not only knowledge, but first-hand experience with it. Therefore, it is no surprise that she wants back and wants the perks coming with it. Peace.

Opinion: Kyambadde knows the truth [but claims the youth doesn’t understand]

“Some would tell me that they like me, but they don’t understand the party I am attached to. People are blaming the party because of our over stay. Even with the services delivered, the youth think that they are not prioritised” – Amelia Kyambadde (19.01.2021)

The now former Permanent Principal Secretary to President and Minister Amelia Kyambadde has spoken the truth. That is actually not new. Now and then she has blasted the truth in the media and gotten the real in interview. This time is now different.

Even though Kyambadde is part of the Museveni clan. She has all the connections and enjoys the perks of that. Some things we do know is that she will not suffer as long as Museveni is in power. Because, as long as he is in power. She will have access and ability to enjoy the spoils of the Presidency.

This week again she has spoken the truth. Not that its shocking or anything. It isn’t even that radical or brutal. Just a mere reflection of what is happening and the consequences of their actions. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have been there and in-power too long. President Museveni have overstayed in office. That is just a mere fact and no reason to run away from it now.

The youth doesn’t feel the services is delivered. When they don’t have work, unemployed and living in a gig economy. In a Republic where one class eats all and the others cannot afford breadcrumbs. That is the sad reality of what the NRM has delivered. Not like Kyambadde was sincere about that part. There is to many lacking factors and options for the youth and citizens in general. Its a deprived state and depleted one. Which the next unlucky loser have to entangle and resolve.

Kyambadde is right the NRM isn’t a party to understand. Since it is a party who only revolves around one person and his whims. His micro-managing and erratic behaviour isn’t making it easier to understand either. However, the final end-game is in his hands and controlled by him. That is just the NRM way at this point of time.

The NRM haven’t cared or invested in the ones she points at. The only interest is in overstaying and securing power. Not to serve or deliver anything anymore. That is why the President could just re-hash old ideas and pledges, as he knows very well … that he didn’t deliver or have the ability to make it happen in the previous term or in the last decade. That is just who he is and the likes of Kyambadde have to act oblivious to the fact.

That is why I will not blindly say she “right” and saying the “right” thing. No, she knows perfectly well the game and how its rigged. Amelia knows how things are working and been in the chambers for so long. That she knows how things get corrupted, stolen and stopped. Kyambadde called out the GAVI funds back-in-the-day and surely seen other things happening too.

Still, she has been part of it and earned her coins. A loyal cadre and a yellow compatriot. That is why I cannot praise her insight. Unless, she wanted to reveal some underlying issues and be a whistle-blower. Alas, she is just stating the obvious, but forging a narrative that the youth doesn’t understand.

However, they do understand and see the game of the NRM. That is why they are voting for the opposition and other parties. In hope that they actually do something. That they are doing the things the NRM isn’t doing. So, that they can have hope for a better tomorrow. Peace.

Uganda Decides: 17 Ministers that have lost their MP race [Bonus: The VP too!]

Today on the 15^th January 2021 there is official results that several of the Cabinet Ministers and even the Vice-President is kicked out of the Parliament. These folks are not following the President and his “victory lap”, which is announced by the Electoral Commission.

The President is losing token loyalists and cadres who is in favour for him. The public have rebuked them. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Museveni doesn’t get their loyal people. Also, the ones who fled from the opposition into juicy plum-jobs in cabinet. These has also lost too, which is so poetic in 2021.

Lost MP Race who is in Cabinet:

Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi

Amelia Kyambadde

Judith Nabakooba

John Chrysestom Muyingo

Atwooki Baltaza Kasirivu

Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye

Beti Kamya

Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi

Sseninde Rose Mary

Ruth Nankabirwa

Isaac Musumba

Ronald Kibuule

Haruna Kasolo

Beatrice Anywar

Denise Galabuzi Ssozi

Saida Bumba

Bamulangaki Ssempijja

The poetic justice is that Bety Kamya, Florence Kiyingi and Beatrice Anywar. These three has jumped ship from the opposition and into cabinet. Kamya and Kiyingi couldn’t even win the election in 2016. These was bought by the President and they were his treasures in the previous term. That he could give them an appointment and then use them. The people despised them and has rebuked them.

It is really great that a giant part of the growing cabinet of Museveni got cancelled. However, with the knowledge of Museveni. He will appoint some of these even when they are not elected. The same happened to Kahinda Otafiire last time. He won yesterday because gerrymandering. Nevertheless, expect the likes of Tumwesigye, Kyambadde and Kasolo. These three is automatic back to office. Even if they are not in the 11^th Parliament. They would be appointed somewhere. Even into some Presidential Advisor position or something. That is who the President does it.

It is what it is. But this is a proof that people are tired of the NRM and Musevenism. Peace.

Uganda: Amelia Kyambadde statement on the new guidelines during the lockdown (05.05.2020)

Uganda: UPC Calls for Economic Reforms (05.04.2017)

Opinion: Hon. Kyambadde revealed what was important at the State House!

“I resigned from State House Uganda, because there were so many powerful people and power centers, and for example the sons and sons-in-law of first family would bring in some foreign businessmen and despite being my duty to clear them, i could not say anything.” – Amalie Kyambadde (On Face Off on NBS TV Uganda, 12.03.2017).

Hon. Kyambadde who is now her second term as Member of Parliament for Mawokota North County in Mpigi District after she left or resigned her position Private Presidential Secretary at the State House, she had the PPS position from 2001 to 2010. Therefore, you see that she went to be elected as MP, instead of working in the State House.

This is very interesting as she knows the perks and working ethics of State House, as she spent nearly a decade in the State House and worked closely with the President. So the knowledge of how it works, she knows perfectly well. As the speculated issues inside the State House came out to the public in 2015:

“The wars in State House, an insider told us, “were always there but they came out in the open when Amelia (Kyambadde, the Trade minister), left State House.” (…) “The source said Ms Kyambadde exerted considerable authority over the presidential palace, hardly allowing internal wrangles to burst open into the public domain” (Mukiibi Sserungjogi & Okuda, 2015).

So there have been revealed things before, but today what she said on NBS have been sort of common knowledge, as the pictures of Hamis Kiggundu, Ruparelia Sundir and others who certainly has conducted their business transactions from the State House with deals between them. The development and acceptance of big-business happens directly inside the state. As well as the decrees and licence to do business, so the words of Hon. Kyambadde extend this idea and verifies what has been commonly known, but not yet said by former internal workers at this capacity.

That she also shows the turn-over of family business inside the State House, their own ideas bringing their connections to the State House, shows the allegiance of state is within the family and not with the procedures of the state. That can be said by the negotiations that even happened a few years ago:

“Byabagambi, who attended the meeting at State House, as did officials from CHEC and the Ugandan attorney general, has accused the MPs of receiving bribes from CCECC to frustrate the project; two of the MPs held a press conference on Monday to deny the accusations and to accuse the government of overpaying CHEC” (Rogers, 2014). So the Chinese investors and entrepreneurs had direct meetings at the State House, so the Attorney General and the MP who oversaw the Standard Gauge Railway project at the time. So the ties all connect to the State House.

In 2011 the State House had made another deal as report back in 2013:

“The Auditor General’s report for the year ending June 2012 notes that there was unfair treatment of bidders ahead of the Presidential swearing in Ceremony in May 2011 where one bidder was dropped for no particular reason” (…) “This was despite the fact that other bidders such as Country Safaris were considered to have the same problem as Africa One Tours and Travel because they could not meet the specifications of the required manufacturers” (…) “In their response, State House officials stated that they had been given a short period within which to prepare for the swearing-in ceremony yet they did not have a set date and there was no money for the function” (Athumani, 2013). So back in 2011, it wasn’t the ministries task to hire and secure the cars for the President, but State House officials. This shows the controlling aspects of the State House, not only the business being decided inside the State House.

This is just some proof of some of the business activity that happens at the State House, surely more than meet the eye and that has been reported about. Certainly, the Museveni family and kin has done more business there than we can ever know. However, there will only be indications until more is revealed or if the leaks from the State House, as it haven’t been controlled as much as it was under Hon. Kyambadde. Peace.

Reference:

Rogers, David – ‘Ugandan president tells Chinese construction boss: ‘If you are not willing to co-operate, leave’ (15.10.2014) link: http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/ugandan-pre3side8nt-tel0ls-chine6se-constr5uct2ion/

Mukiibi Sserunjogi, Eriasa & Okuda, Ivan – ‘Making sense of the fight in State House’ (08.02.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/sense-Museveni-Mbabazi–State-House/689844-2615958-8eg2uaz/index.html

URN/ Halima Athumani – ‘State House Officials Quizzed Over Museveni Swearing-in Vehicles’ (27.09.2013) link: https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/state-house-officials-quizzed-over-museveni-swearing-in-vehicles